Abstract: In an hydraulic braking system for vehicles a pedal-operated booster-assisted hydraulic master cylinder assembly (1) is adapted to apply a vehicle brake (2) by the supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure to a brake actuator for operating the brake, and a proportional valve (50) is arranged to provide a quick-fill function for the brake actuator in response to a proportional pilot signal (40) from the master cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A brake operating speed detecting device includes a plurality of filters having different cut-off frequencies and inputs thereto a vehicle body deceleration that changes at the time of braking. The state of distribution of output values obtained through the filters, or the difference d between the output values, corresponds to the rising speed of the vehicle body deceleration. Because the rising speed corresponds to the brake operating speed, the brake operating speed can be detected from the state of distribution of the output values or the difference d.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing unit (1) for receiving add-on parts and vehicle components on supporting parts of vehicles. The bearing unit (1) comprises at least one elastically deformable elastomeric component (3, 13) which is supported on a support (9). The support (9) has received elastomeric spring components (3, 13; 17, 18, 19, 20), not connected to one another.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a McPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The shock strut comprises means capable of blocking the first turn of the spring (24) on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).

Abstract: The present invention provides a new braking system for a first vehicle towing a second vehicle on its own four wheels. The system exhibits a process by which the towing vehicle's brake system send an electronic relay to the towed vehicle's brake system making the brake depress at the proper rate of deceleration.

Abstract: A pair of shoes are expanded by driving an electric brake motor. Due to the friction engagement of the shoes with a drum inner peripheral surface, a braking force is applied to a wheel. An actual braking torque is detected by a strain sensor that detects the load applied to an anchor pin. Through a feedback control using the actual braking torque, the electric motor is driven and controlled so that the actual braking torque becomes equal to a target braking torque that is determined in accordance with the amount of operation of a brake pedal. When the actual braking torque is undetectable, for example, during a stop of a vehicle, the electric motor is driven and controlled through an actuating force control using the current through the electric motor that is detected by a motor current sensor.

Abstract: A gas spring lock for engaging and locking a gas spring in the extended position so that covers of spas, hot tubs and other similar apparatus that employ gas springs can be safely locked into an open position. A gas spring lock includes an elongate locking arm that extends along the piston of a gas spring, toward the cylinder thereof. Typically, the locking arm is longitudinally fixed in relation to the piston of the gas spring. The locking arm includes a notch which is defined by a portion of the locking arm. The notch is provided to engage the step that is formed between the piston and the cylinder of the gas spring.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical interface incorporated in a series hybrid auxiliary power unit. According to the present invention the electro-mechanical interface employs a first tier of geared output shafts rotatably supported within a frame and meshingly engaged in a daisy-chain configuration having first and second ends. One end of the first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a first, geared transfer shaft. The first, geared transfer shaft selectively connects to an internal combustion engine through a selectively disengageable clutch. The other end of the aforesaid first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a second geared transfer shaft that is continuously connected to a motor/generator. The geared output shafts in the aforesaid daisy-chain configuration are available to drive auxiliary loads. A second tier of geared output shafts are also rotatably supported within the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration-damping device comprising an abutting member adapted to be fixedly disposed in a vibrative member and an independent mass member disposed relative to the abutting member such that the independent mass member is displaceable relative to the abutting member while being independent of the abutting member without being adhesive to the abutting member. The independent mass member having an abutting surface that comes into abutting contact directly and elastically with an abutting surface of the abutting member, in which at least one of the abutting surfaces of the abutting member and the independent mass member is provided with a flock coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a front-rear braking force distribution control system for a vehicle. The system includes a wheel brake cylinders operatively associated with front and rear wheels of the vehicle, a pressure generator for pressurizing brake fluid in response to operation of a brake pedal to generate a hydraulic braking pressure and supply it to each of the wheel brake cylinders, and a pressure control device disposed between the pressure generator and the wheel brake cylinders for controlling the braking pressure in each of the wheel brake cylinders. A pressure sensor is provided for detecting the braking pressure generated by the pressure generator, and the detected braking pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold pressure.

Abstract: An energy absorbing element, that may be used with, for example, vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, is described. The energy absorbing element (2, 2′) comprises, (a) at least two oppositely arranged metal sheets (7, 8) having a multiplicity of predetermined buckling points (11, 12 and 13) which enable each sheet (7, 8) to fold up along its longitudinal direction (x-direction); and (b) a plurality of connecting ribs (9) which interconnect the oppositely arranged metal sheets (7, 8), the connecting ribs (9) being fabricated from a plastic material selected from thermoplastic materials and/or thermosetting plastic materials. Also described is a bumper system which comprises a transverse beam and at least one of the energy absorbing elements of the present invention.

Abstract: A switchable liquid-filled vibration absorbing mount has a stopper device interposed between a first diaphragm and a bottom portion for regulating downward movement of pushing member when a vacuum is introduced into a switching chamber, so that a protrusion of a valve member does not come out of an inner orifice when a vacuum is applied to the switching chamber to move the first diaphragm to a first position opening the orifice.

Abstract: In a brake pressure control system for ABS control, traction control or vehicle motion control, a control unit controls each of pressure control solenoid valves in a PWM (pulse width modulation) control mode to prevent pulsation in the wheel cylinder pressure during the presence of a predetermined temperature or pressure condition, and a non-PWM control mode in the absence of the predetermined condition. The control unit includes a process section such as a computer and a PWM switch section including subsections each for a unique one of the solenoid valves. The process section has a single PWM port connected through a PWM signal line to each subsection of the PWM switch section.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder in which a piston is guided so as to be displaceable axially, wherein the piston separates the cylinder into two work spaces which communicate via at least one bypass groove in the cylinder depending on the stroke position of the piston, wherein the cylinder is formed of multiple parts and a portion of the cylinder with the at least one bypass groove is displaceable axially relative to at least one further portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A device for the vibration-absorbing mounting of a compressed-air generator including a first spring element which is mounted on a mounting support. A second spring element is provided on which the compressed-air generator is arranged. One of the two spring elements has a spring rigidity in essentially the vertical direction that is maximally half its spring rigidity in essentially the horizontal direction. The second spring element is arranged in series with the first-spring element. The inventive device reduces the acceleration measured at the bottom of the understructure to values which are at least 30% of the values known from the prior art.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly is provided with a brake friction pad coated to produce a protective layer upon an associated rotor or like element (e.g., brake shoe). The inventive coating is applied as a surface treatment to the friction material of the brake pad, application of the coating in accordance with the inventive method may be performed immediately after manufacture of the brake pad or as an aftermarket performance enhancement for the brake assembly. Copper powder suspended in a resinous material such as a phenolic resin is the preferred material for the coating. The process for coating the brake pad is adaptable for use at a repair facility or auto parts supply store. The protective layer is formed upon the rotor transferring the coating by heat generated during application of the brake pad to the rotor to retard or arrest rotation thereof.

Abstract: A vibration relief apparatus capable of reducing a frequency at a resonance point, to thereby reduce vibration transmissibility, resulting in improving a feeling in riding in a vehicle during traveling thereof. A suspension unit which is a vibration relief apparatus of the present invention includes coil springs and a torsion bar substantially horizontally arranged with respect to an X-link. The coil springs constitutes a first spring mechanism having negative spring characteristics and the torsion bar constitutes a second spring mechanism having positive spring characteristics. Such configuration permits a spring system constituted by the first and second spring mechanisms to have a spring constant about an equilibrium point set to be about 0. This permits a phase delay to be produced in a low-frequency region, so that the vibration relief apparatus may exhibit enhances vibration absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: A trainline communication controller for placement on a rail car or locomotive of a train in order form a network having a housing with a front plate assembly which includes a plurality of external electrical receptacles. A plurality of circuits, including surface connectors, are positioned in the housing. A printed circuit board including connector smating directly with the surface connectors of the circuits and where in the receptacles are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a pair of valve assemblies which include an acceleration sensitive valve which couples the working chamber of the shock absorber to the shock absorber's reservoir chamber through a fluid path to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specific amount. A compression valve assembly and a rebound valve assembly are also provided which controls the fluid flow through the piston and the base assembly, respectively, to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement.

Abstract: An assembly of a brake disk and a hub includes an axle extending through a passage in the hub and a plurality of longitudinal ridges extend from each of the two ends of the axle. Each end of the axle has a threaded hole defined in an end surface thereof. The brake disk has a central hole and a plurality of notches defined in an inner periphery of the central hole so as to have protrusions located between the notches. The ridges are received in the notches and a bolt extends Through each of the protrusions and is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole in the ridge.